The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 4

PAGE FOUR Decatur, Illinois, Saturday, September 9, 1978 Military personnel hold high hopes for future Americans help Rhodesia to hold the line Decatur Daily Review "The Community Paper" Opinions Matter deserves thought Major Darryl Winkler, whose quintes-sentially American middle-class face, blue eyes and pain speaking honesty can't be disguised by the Rhodesian camouflage uniform he wears, is the highest ranking American in the Rhodesian security forces. Although Winkler is a career soldier who has been in the army ever since college, he, too, came to Rhodesia from political motives. "I left the American army because I became disenchanted with the systems in the States. Vietnam led the whole world down. If we couldn't win in a small country like Vietnam, people are thinking we can't stand up to Russia." Winkler, 34 years old and from New Orleans, makes RH $750 (U.S.

$1,087.50) a month as a first-year major. "It's an adequate salary for Rhodesia. As new immigrants, we don't have to pay so many taxes. And we have a nice house; three bedrooms, swimming pool, barbeque patio, and three-fourths of an acre all for RH $120 (U.S. $174) a month.

You wouldn't be able to touch that in most parts of the world." Tom is an American in his early 20s from a small town in Pennsylvania. He has a curiously soft, unmarked face and sports a toothbrush moustache. He has been serving in the Rhodesian army for 14 months. His reasons for coming to Rhodesia are different from Darryl Winkler's or Ed Wandel's he says "adventure" is what prompted his decision and he has asked that his last name not be used. Tom says that often American soldiers in the Rhodesian army or their families back in the States have been harassed by U.S.

authorities, and he is unwilling to take that risk. "One of my American mates has an expired passport. He applied for another at the American Embassy in South By Sarah Webb Barrell Salisbury, Rhodesia Ed Wandel is a rugged, deeply tanned 33-year-old from Connelsville, Pa. He wears a brown leather jacket over a .357 Magnum stuck in the waistband of his jeans, Clint Eastwood style. Most of the time, however, the American blue jeans are substituted for the brown and green camouflage of a corporal in a commando unit of the Rhodesian army.

Wandel, who came to Rhodesia almost two years ago, stresses that he is not a professional soldier. After his tour in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, he had a variety of civilian jobs in the States passenger service work for American Airlines, selling cars, even owning a small restaurant before deciding to join the Rhodesian army. "I'm an average American and at heart I'm a civvy. Sure, I'd rather be back home in a nice, comfortable apartment," says Wandel, who estimates that 90 percent of his army duty is spent in the bush. "But I feel that's short time, if things go wrong here.

What happens in Africa is going to affect our American life style just as communism has already affected Europe. Eventually we are going to be standing by ourselves." Wandel says he decided to come to Rhodesia after listening to Prime Minister Ian Smith in an American television interview in 1976. "I was impressed with his honesty, his magnetism, and how he spoke of the country and the people," Wandel said. "Rhodesians have an old American spirit about them. Like in World War II, when we used to believe in patriotism." Ed is from a large family he's one of six children but describes himself as a "loner." "I haven't dated since I've come here," he said.

"I prefer it that way." However, he enjoys the camaraderie and closeness of relationships with other soldiers in the bush. schild, investment banking firm which has been working with the Millikin bank, says it has been told a multi-lender program would not bring a good bond rating. Luttrell says another firm, E. F. Hutton, believes the multilender approach would bring a higher rating.

The council should take the time to try to resolve these two points of view, even though it would be desirable for the program to become operational as soon as possible. The enabling ordinance passed by the council does not specify the lender, nor the amount of bonds to be issued. So the council is not yet locked into a position on that issue. That is not to say that there should be undue delay, City Manager Leslie T. Allen told the council recently that there are indications the mortgage market has been depressed somewhat while prospective home buyers await the outcome of the move toward making lower interest mortgages available.

"Our city has a reputation for cooperation," Luttrell told the council. "It is our feeling that a Joint proposal is strong and deserves your support." At the very least, the matter deserves further consideration before the final decision is made. THING THAT THE p-j I ME" GENERATION EExEJ TOOK A Y0U" FAILS TO TAKE S5 -4' GENERATION 15 WO ACCOUNT 10 KM JMi THE DECATUR City Council has acted with commendable promptness in authorizing the issuance of bonds to provide home mortgage money at a lower rate of interest than is generally available now. But there has been increasing opposition to the council's informal agreement to? make the money available to only one- lending agency, the Millikin National-Bank, which made the original proposal to the city. -The statements of representatives of other financial institutions, including President John Luttrell of the National Bank of Decatur, and Walter Morey, president of Security Savings and Loan, seem to have given some council members second thoughts.

-While opposition to the original proposal has come belatedly, we think there is good reason for the council to re-examine its position on to whom the money will be made available. CThere should be time for the council to gather information on two positions -whether the program would work best with only one lender or whether it could be successful with multilenders. council has heard conflicting opinions on this matter. L. F.

Roth Leaving is YOU CANT blame them, but it's a itsappointment. nevertheless, to see Jmes Williams and John Goss leave fee Board of Education in School District 189 in East SL Louis. The East St. Louis district was so riddled with corruption and patronage poli-uee that the Illinois Office of Education Md to virtually take over its operation, afid monitor election of school board candidates. oGoss and Williams were among the inform candidates elected in the state-watched voting.

Goss and Williams rtTade progress, but now all that, and all ttat the state role made possible, are endangered. They gave a lot while they served, and they finally saw that it wouldn't be Sough that the forces of patronage mlitics were in full control. S5, last week, after other members forced through a massive expansion of the district's payroll, Williams and Goss submitted their resignations. After the vote, Goss read a statement, saying "it has become increasingly clear that my philosophy on education and government has not prevailed." He was joined in the resignation by Williams, who later said, "I am opposed to dictatorial control by (School Board President Clyde) Jordan." Superintendent Leroy Ducksworth made the recommendations for the Wrings, and later contended that the positions are budgeted and need to be filled. It was Ducksworth, however, who got crosswise in a similar dispute late last year.

The board led by Jordan pushed through an administrative reorganiza-8 on despite the fact that Ducksworth didn't recommend it. Williams and Goss went to court, contending that state law requires that ich measures be initiated by the district's superintendent. The court upheld adding that the organization ould be approved if Ducksworth rec-(Jmmended it. That put Ducksworth in an impossible $sition. He ended up recommending the reorganization, and it was approv- 9-" Concurrently, there was a move afoot expand the payroll, but that was pped.

Apparently it resurfaced IXtts time with Ducksworth's recommendation. It was to be expected. After all, can only throw yourself in front of train once. Africa, but they said 'no way. Oddly, Tom no longer has any trace of an American accent, although he has been in Rhodesia for less than a year and a half.

His speech is peppered with Rhodesian slang, such as "mates" for friends and "chuffed" for happy. Although Tom will leave when his contract is up in two years "I'll look for another army; three years in one place is enough" he admires the Rhodesian courage and resiliency. "I like the country. I like the people. I think they have a stronger spirit than the Americans.

It's like the American spirit was 100-150 years ago." Tom, the lost adolescent who came for adventure and Ed, the loner, and Darryl the professional soldier who came for political reasons, are part of an American fighting force in Rhodesia that Washington sources believes numbers between 300 and 500. The Americans form a contingent of foreign soldiers second only to the British. Rhodesian military authorities in Salisbury deny this, saying that there are less than 100 Americans in the Rhodesian security forces. Both Rhodesian military authorities and American soldiers are touchy about the use of the word "mercenary." They point out that Americans or any other foreigners in the Rhodesian forces receive no special treatment. They make exactly the same wages as Rhodesian troops.

Ed Wanel makes RH $264 (U.S. $382.80) a month. "After taxes, rent, and rations are taken out, I end up with RH $173 (U.S. I could make that in an unemployment office in the States," he said. Americans here also stress that it is not easy to join what is commonly considered the best anti-insurgency force in the world.

"We had to go through a hell of a lot to get in this army personal inter- Inflation is a significant element. Union members are not only victimized by it but blamed for it, to the point that in some Southern and Western states the endorsement of a candidate by the AFL-CIO is considered a political handicap as often as a blessing. Nor have the unions reacted with political wisdom in many cases. Although there are exceptions, such as the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsement of Sen. Charles Percy, they persist in giving their support on the narrowest possible issues and almost automatically to Democrats.

And, more to the point, they respond to their critics with bombast that makes it difficult for even their friends in high office to support them. It is indeed accurate to say that the conservative lobbies funded by big business are often shrill and ridiculously loose with the facts. But it is foolish to paint all business with the same brush. Organized labor does have assets that politicians would prize. Unions not only can give money but, more important in the era of contributions limits, they can turn out campaign workers.

There are more than a few congressional districts in which the backing of UAW or AFSCME, Machinists or Communications Workers is still much more valuable than a few thousand dollars for radio spots. But the value of union backing to a political candidate, at either the precinct or national level, corresponds directly to the perception of labor among the voters. If more unions were viewed as taking the lead on dealing with inflation rather than being intransigent about their own demands, if more, unions were obviously as devoted to improving productivity as they are to preserving their own size, then all unions would have more friends in high places in the political community and more to celebrate on Labor Day. views, documentation and references," said Maj. Winkler.

Said Capt. Vic Thackwray, a second-generation Rhodesian who commands the 5 Engineer Support Squadron in Redcliff, "The Americans who are here now have to run a gauntlet of doubt. They really have to prove themselves. The standards of Americans we had here in the past were completely wrong. Many of them arrived thinking it was the same sort of war as Vietnam.

they were fighting a jungle war outside their country. We're fighting in our own country against terrorists who can be working for you by day, and picking up arms by night." Thackwray said that the Americans who have stayed and proved themselves are excellent "bloody good soldiers." He spoke of an American medic under his command who, under fire, tried to rescue two wounded Rhodesian soldiers. The American was killed. "That's heroism you don't see very often," Thackwray said. American soldiers here speak longingly of the unlimited equipment and back-up of the Vietnam War, although, admits Maj.

Winkler, "All of us have had to get out of the habit of saying, 'When we were in Vietnam. Like their white Rhodesian colleagues in the security forces, both Winkler and Wandel look forward to the 31st of December, when black majority rule takes effect, with both hope and apprehension. "If Rhodesia would stay as Rhodesia, I'd settle here without question," said Ed Wandel. "But if the new Zimbabwe turns out to be like Mozambique, Zambia, Zaire, or Botswana, I'll leave." Said Maj. Winkler, who, along with his wife, has applied for Rhodesian citizenship: "I foresee a hell of a good future here.

There's a group of people who are determined to make this country work, and I'm one of them." Day by day Ten years ago 1968 Official enrollment figures of Macon County's seven rural school districts show 8,311 students this year, an increase of 344 students from last year's 7,967 enrollment. Sixty children have been registered so far for this year's Self Start program. Immediate action is the key to the development of the important northeast Decatur industrial area, according to city planners. Twenty years ago 1958 Right of way requirements probably will force locating the Decatur-Champaign expressway on a line south of Seymour, Bondville and Staley, it is reported in Champaign. All of Macon County will vote Nov.

4 in an advisory referendum on creation of a City of Decatur Township. Fifty years ago 1928 Juanita Byers is the first girl to have explored the depths of Lake Decatur. She put on the diving suit of Captain Cannon. Agreement has been reached by musicians and theater managers on the contract for 1928-29 and work has been resumed bv the musicians. The Rev.

H.C. Gibbs of Decatur expects to retire from active service at the Methodist conference in Peoria this week. Readers9 Forum Coach Reid will be missed To the Editor: On Saturday night we will be attending an "appreciation party" for Coach Harold Reid. It's a farewell for all his "kiddies" to see him before he leaves. It would seem that Mrs.

Brown and the YWCA board have won the issue. But not really. Our kids lost they lost a great future and an opportunity to train under an Olympic coach. The old saying, "You can't fool kids" is a very true statement. Because children know when they are sincerely loved.

This is the love and leadership that existed between Coach Reid and his team; genuine and never too busy for the smallest of problems. The YWCA Roo's Swim Team lost a great leader and Christian example. My daughter and I would like to take this opportunity to say, "We can never thank you ourselves, so we're asking God to bless and keep you" for the year you have touched and improved her life. Mrs. Chylene Clendenen Decatur About letters Letters to the editor must have a written signature and a street address or rural route number.

The writer must permit use of his name. Letters of 350 words or less are preferred. The Decatur Daily Review will not edit letters to meet space requirements. Organized labor has little left to celebrate on its special day sorrowful With Williams and Goss gone from the board, and with the city elections coming up next spring, you can anticipate more disturbing developments in District 189. A reasonable supposition is that the new firings were intended to pump patronage money into political areas to strengthen Jordan's hand when the election comes around.

Why, you might wonder since Jordan has indicated he has no interest in running for the position now held by Mayor William E. Mason and the City Hall and the District 189 offices are separate institutions. The answer would be that Mason and Jordan are political enemies, and Jordan would like nothing better than to see Mason retired to some obscure teaching post. The recent Wrings could be only the beginning. There might be some firings as well.

Mason used to be superintendent in the district, and his friends there must be sensing the chill of the axe. Highly placed administrators allied with Jordan might spend more of their time worrying about the outcome of the election in May than the outcome of the final exams students may be taking that same momth. The teachers' union will be drawn into it one way or another, thus diverting even more attention from the proper business of educating the young people of East St. Louis and its neighboring communities. Goss, the board's resident expert on school finance and taxation, had helped to build up a substantial surplus.

His intent was to have it ready to serve as matching funds when the state is able to provide construction money for the new schools the district desperately needs. If the city election heats up, the present masters of the school district may look on that to effect even more patronage hiring. Perhaps no. Perhaps the district will continue to make the progress of recent years, continue to get complimentary reports from the state Office of Education, along with criticism of such matters as patronage hiring. We'd like to think so, but the longer history of the district suggests otherwise.

It is a history of abuse of the district's finances for political purposes. The battle over how Southern Illinois will use its land is entering a crucial stage. The nation's needs for energy, food and recreation are putting intense pressure on the area. But the question is not simply how to balance competing necessities. It is how mankind can live with nature; how we can harvest nature's bounty without destroying both the land and ourselves.

Before irrevocable decisions are made, we must be sure that any action improves the harmony between land and humanity. We need to develop a land ethic; one that says that the community of land, animals, natural beauty and humanity can exist in cooperation and mutual This is one of the main reasons why the state should begin to develop a comprehensive land-use policy. How we use the land is an issue above simple economics. It is one of ethics. Does the comeback of returnable bottles mean your neighbor will replace all the beer he borrowed from you this summer? Remember when writers wrote their memoirs with pen or typewriter instead of whitewash? Stand up for your rights and someone is going to sneak in a few lefts.

Debate overlooks ethics AN IMPORTANT element is missing from the land-use debate in Southern Illinois among farmers, coal companies and conservationists a feeling for our obligation to nature. jor centuries we have looked upon land as an economic resource to be exploited, subjugated, conquered. This view says that land is valuable only as a financial commodity, that the purpose of land was economic development. The farmer wants land to raise more crops and livestock. The coal company wants to turn land into mines.

Conservationists want recreation and wildlife areas. All these goals are important. But they speak only to human interests in food, energy, hunting and outdoor recreation. They ignore the overriding need for humanity to live in harmony with the land that we are part of a land community transcending Washington The decline in labor's role in the economic system is well documented. Unions now represent less than one-fourth of the country's non-farm workers.

Unions are losing more representation elections than they win. Jobs that once represented people now are handled by computers, and computers require no fringe benefits and pay no i union dues. But the most striking development of the time is the unions' loss of political power just when they should be politically revitalized. There is a Democrat in the White House, overwhelming Democratic majorities in the Congress, Democrats in three-fourths of the state capitols, Democrats in almost all the major city halls. For all of that, the signs of political weakness are epidemic.

Even with this supposedly benign situation, Big Labor repeatedly has been defeated in Congress on issues of such direct concern to the unions as common-sites picketing and right-to-work repeal as well as on those in which they have a significant but less immediate interest, such as election law reform. Early this summer the unions were beaten on a labor law reform bill that many of their leaders considered the most important piece of labor legislation in two generations. And they were beaten despite an unstinting commitment from both President Carter and the Democratic leadership in the Congress. There is no great mystery about why this is happening, at least in general terms. In common with other institutions, unions have lost the respect and confidence of the voters.

Their leaders are regarded with no more admiration than congressmen. George Meany is nobody's sweetheart. Politicians in Congress know this, and they react to it. Nor have the union political operatives been universally helpful to their A George AAeany nobody's sweetheart own cause. Too often they have refused to recognize that the political context in which they are operating is different from what it was 10 or 15 years ago.

Members of Congress, for example, are a far more independent breed than they were when Lyndon Johnson and Sam Rayburn could deliver their votes. If they are going to walk the plank for they must have a practical reason. Perhaps more important, the unions' own members have become less reliable politically. Increasingly, they think of themselves as consumers or taxpayers or the victims of inflation, only much later as union workers. Thus, the agent for a United Auto Workers local privately beefs about the wage gains achieved by a local of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees despite the fact that the two unions are closely allied in seeking many national goals.

Barbs Friend of ours has an Old Fashion grandmother but the old dear never has been known to turn down any other kidd; of sauce, either. A cynic is anyone who says nostalgia is longing for something that never was. First, the good news: you bought the mower on a pay later plan. The bad news: now is later. A.